Anyone
who thinks that Los Angeles doesn't have its fair share of sidewalk cafés
should pay a visit to Sunset Plaza. A chic, little two-block strip
of fashionable boutiques and outdoor cafés nestled between Hollywood
& Beverly Hills, Sunset Plaza's trendy bistros line both sides of the
Sunset Strip adding a European
flair to West Hollywood.

You might think that Sunset Plaza was a recent addition
to the area, but in fact this small center was built back in the 1930's.

The little shops feature big prices and attract celebs,
as well as residents of the posh neighborhoods to the west. Armani A/X,
H. Lorenzo, Butler & Wilson, Nicole Miller and Oliver Peoples are all
here.

But the people-watching here is the biggest
attraction. There are more Beautiful People (and supermodel wannabes) here
than just about anywhere else in town, all part of the passing parade.
If you like the idea of a sidewalk café on Sunset Boulevard,
where you can sit and sip espresso under an umbrella while you watch the
Rolls Royces cruise by, this just might be your kind of place.

You can choose from a number of sidewalk cafés,
including Cravings (where actor Christopher Lloyd
was spotted on the patio with his sheepdog), Cafe Med (a favorite
of Leslie Nielson), Chin Chin,
Le Petit Four, Clafoutis, and of course Le
Dome, all filled with beautiful people eating beautiful food al
fresco. Most of the restaurants here tend to be pricey, but if you're watching
your budget, you can get a good meal at Chin Chin for a very reasonable
tab.

On a major budget? Try The Coffee Bean where
Demi Moore was recently spotted enjoying
a cup.

A
pink boutique at Sunset Plaza, Madeleine Gallay, was the spot Richard Gere
took wife-to-be Cindy Crawford
to buy her wedding ring. According to Time magazine, regular customers
include Alyssa Milano, Rebecca
De Mornay, Ellen Barkin,
Iman, Virginia
Madsen, Nicolette Sheridan
and Mimi Rogers. Winona Ryder
has been seen there. And Rosanna Arquette
"has been known to work the jewelry counter for fun." They all
like owner Madeleine Gallay and the relaxed atmosphere of the shop. Dark
Angel's Jessica Alba was seen shopping
for cosmetics at Fresh.

The L.A. Times reports that the Tracey Ross
boutique (8595 W Sunset Blvd.) is another a cozy celebrity hangout, with
a popular hostess and clients including Bob Dylan,
Natasha Henstridge ("Species"),
Robert Downey Jr., and Linda (Mrs.
James) Cahn.

Both Arnold Schwarzenegger
and Bruce Willis are fans of the Western
attire store called Billy Martin's.

Jean-Claude Van Damme
was seen eating dinner at the Chin Chin restaurant here. 'Weird Al'
Yankovic (who lives in the hills above Sunset) says he just
likes to walk down and "hang around" the area. Tia
Carrere says she "got a really amazing vintage costume
jewelry piece there not long ago."

Parking is free at Sunset Plaza, and so is the people-watching.
The rear parking lot on the south side of Sunset even offers a nice view
of the city below.

Getting
there: Sunset Plaza is located along
both sides of the Sunset Strip, between La Cienega and San Vicente
Boulevards, at Sunset Plaza Drive. / From Hollywood &Vine,
go south two blocks to Sunset Boulevard, turn right (west) on Sunset, and
go west (just over three miles) to Sunset Plaza Drive.

This webpage is not associated
with any business described in the article above, and does not constitute
an
endorsement of this or any other business. The photos of celebrities on
this page also do not constitute
endorsements by them of any kind, and are used by the author solely to
illustrate this online article.(Click here
to read other disclaimers)